Praying with Commitment - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (March-22-2024)

John MacArthur (March-22-2024) Daily Devotional: Praying with Commitment

"Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10).

Your prayers make a difference!

Matthew 6:10 literally says, "Whatever you wish to have happen, let it happen immediately. As your will is done in heaven, so let it be done on earth." That's a prayer of active commitment to God's will.

Many people don't pray like that because they don't understand God's character. They think their prayers don't matter and that God will impose His will on them no matter what they do. They tend to pray with passive resignation, indifference, or resentment.

I remember praying such a prayer. After my freshman year in college, I was in a serious auto accident. The driver lost control of the car at about seventy-five miles per hour and it rolled several times before coming to a stop. I was thrown clear of the vehicle and ended up sliding down the highway on my backside for about 100 yards. I lost a lot of skin and had some third-degree burns and other injuries, but fortunately I didn't break any bones.

I was conscious during the entire ordeal and vividly remember thinking, All right God. If you're going to fight this way, I give up! I can't handle this! I knew God was calling me into the ministry, but I was focusing my life in another direction.

I think God used that experience to get my attention, and my prayer of passive resignation soon turned to active commitment as He refined my heart and drew me to Himself.

Perhaps God has dealt severely with you, too. If so, it's only because He loves you and wants to produce the fruit of righteousness in you (Heb. 12:11). Don't despise His chastening, and don't be fatalistic or resentful in your prayers. Godly prayers make a difference (James 5:16), so commit yourself to praying expectantly, knowing that God is gracious and wise and always responds for His glory and your highest good (Rom. 8:28).

Suggestions for Prayer - If you tend to pray with indifference, passive resignation, or resentment, ask God's forgiveness. Study His character and cultivate deep communion with Him through disciplined, trusting prayer.

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Praying with Commitment - John MacArthur Daily Devotional (March-22-2024)
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3 comments

  • Comment Link Debbie Wednesday, 22 March 2023 02:39 posted by Debbie

    I don't understand why I can't hear John on YouTube? I can't find the way to get information. John is like a father to me, not Father. It's hard that you hide him because he is sick. I'm in Boston,MA. I can't be there.
    Where will I know Father when John goes home?

  • Comment Link Debbie Wednesday, 22 March 2023 02:39 posted by Debbie

    I don't understand why I can't hear John on YouTube? I can't find the way to get information. John is like a father to me, not Father. It's hard that you hide him because he is sick. I'm in Boston,MA. I can't be there.
    Where will I know Father when John goes home?

  • Comment Link Debbie Wednesday, 22 March 2023 02:39 posted by Debbie

    I don't understand why I can't hear John on YouTube? I can't find the way to get information. John is like a father to me, not Father. It's hard that you hide him because he is sick. I'm in Boston,MA. I can't be there.
    Where will I know Father when John goes home?

John MacArthur

John MacArthur is the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, as well as an author, conference speaker, chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary, and featured teacher with the Grace to You media ministry.

After graduating from Talbot Theological Seminary, John came to Grace Community Church in 1969. The emphasis of his pulpit ministry is the careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of the Bible, ...

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